How Much Do You Actually Know About Contraceptives?

September 21, 2020
By Cassie Shortsleeve

If you’re like most women in this country (read: 99 percent) you’ve—at one point or another—used some form of birth control. So you likely know the basic bullet points when it comes to contraceptives (à la, the pill, an IUD, Plan B emergency contraception, or condoms). In short? They all help to prevent pregnancy.

But beyond that, there may be a lot that you don’t know. Plus, with info galore at your fingertips (thanks, Internet), it’s super easy to get confused about what’s actually true and what’s—err—not. That’s why we ironed out seven common myths about the ways that you choose to prevent pregnancy (with the help of experts and science, of course). Take the quiz below to test your knowledge.

Hormonal birth control is bound to impact my future fertility, right?

Answer: Nope

If you’re scared that hormonal birth control could contribute to infertility or throw off your chances of getting pregnant in the future, you’re not alone: It’s a big worry. But take it from a doc: Birth control doesn’t cause infertility (and neither does emergency contraception, like Plan B, BTW), confirms Dorette Noorhasan M.D., medical director and co-founder of CCRM Dallas–Fort Worth, a leading fertility clinic. Once you stop birth control, your fertility—and your period—will resume in one to three months.

Two exceptions to be aware of: the birth control shot and IUDs. Birth control shots aremade with a synthetic hormone called progestin and is designed to be effective for three months at a time. “Since everyone has slightly different metabolisms of the medications, the return to having regular cycles can be variable, and take up to six months from the last injection,” says Brian Levine M.D., founding partner and practice director of CCRM New York. And, of course you’ll need to have your IUD removed before trying to get pregnant.

Answer: Yup

Repeat after us: Plan B—a form of emergency contraception—is not a prescription medication. In fact, it’s been widely available over the counter since 2013—and you can find it at pretty much all of the major retail stores (think: Target, Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens/Duane Reade). Just head to the family planning aisle. Remember: No prescription, ID, or age requirement required. Voila.

True or False: Plan B won’t work if you’re already preggers.

Answer: That’s true

First things first: Plan B *isn’t* an abortion pill—it’s a backup option to help prevent a pregnancy before it starts when used after unprotected sex or birth control failure. So, no: it doesn’t work if you’re already pregnant. Here’s why: Plan B works by temporarily delaying ovulation—so essentially, that means that if there’s no egg, there can be no fertilization, and thus, there can be no pregnancy.

Basically, you just take Plan B as directed—it’s most effective the sooner you take it (within 72 hours after unprotected sex)—and then you can (and should) start up your regular birth control regime, stat. And remember: There aren’t any long-term effects from taking Plan B (and nope, it won’t negatively impact your ability to get pregnant in the future either).

Answer: Yeah, it could hurt a bit

The process of getting an IUD put in is fairly straightforward and short (read: a few minutes or so) procedure. And once it’s done, your IUD is in place and good to go for years. (*Breathes a major sigh of relief.*) How does it work? Basically, your doc puts a speculum into your vagina then carefully places the IUD in your uterus. Simple enough, right? Well, since the process requires stretching the cervix, it can be a little bit uncomfortable, especially if you’ve never had one put in or had a vaginal birth, explains Dr. Levine.

What to expect: a little bit of pain during the insertion, then some cramping that could last for a day or two or a few weeks. Some experts also note that you could feel dizzy or lightheaded. Popping OTC pain relievers pre-appointment can make everything a little more comfortable.

True or False: If you’re on hormonal birth control, you don’t need a condom.

Answer: You *might* wanna still use one

The pill or an IUD might be very effective at preventing pregnancy, but only condoms have been proven to reduce your risk of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Plus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that “consistent and correct use” of latex condoms, *specifically*, drops your risk of sexually transmitted disease and HIV transmission. And considering there’s been an increase in major STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis over the past few years? This is worth taking seriously—especially if you’re having sex with someone new.

True or False: A birth control pill is pretty much a unicorn that has tons of different medical uses.

Answer: Yes, yes, yes!

Yes, ma’am.

In fact, birth control pills, because they are hormonal products, have been used since the 1950s to also ease symptoms of endometriosis; they’re a standard treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), assuming you’re not trying to get pregnant, that is; they can help wipe away skin issues like acne; and they’re regularly prescribed to help with cramps, irregular cycles, and heavy bleeding. (And did we mention they prevent pregnancy, to boot?) As we said: science.